I will be going to Tokyo in late May for business for a few days. I plan to take the next week off and explore. I have been to Tokyo before once and know that there is a lifetime of exploration possibilities. I would like to check out some other places though.

I can pretty much go anywhere and am open minded. Usually appreciate food and culture (new and old), with some history mixed in. Like to walk a lot. Some ideas that have been burrowing in my head have included Osaka and Kyoto (the latter is better in the fall, I hear?), Mount Koya (which I read about once a few years back but sounded stunning).

In my mid to late 20s, don't speak Japanese (though I speak Mandarin, and am also more than happy to play charades to get my point across) and no dietary restrictions if that helps..

Any thoughts and suggestions are more than welcome!